A team of officials at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass., last month wrapped up a successful series of flight tests that demonstrated the ability to move text, voice, and data messages using the family of advanced beyond-line-of-sight terminals (FAB-T) that are under development. During the nine flights, personnel onboard ESC’s 707 testbed aircraft passed this information via FAB-T over operational Milstar communications satellites to multiple US locations. Jeff Rattray, a contractor on Hanscom’s FAB-T team said, among the successes, these tests showed that the FAB-T high-gain antenna “can track the satellite during the dynamics of flight.” The Air Force intends to install FAB-T on its bombers, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance aircraft; special-mission platforms, and strategic airlifters so that they can maintain connectivity with rear and deployed forces. In January, the B-2 bomber program office received its first FAB-T unit for integration testing. (Hanscom report by Chuck Paone)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
